TEN new homes are set to be built on the site of a York’s oldest bowling green - as long as the developers pay £20,000 towards bowling facilities at York Railway Institute.

Acomb Bowling Club, off Front Street, was established at the turn of the 20th century but membership has dwindled in recent years.

There are now only 18 members, with 15 of those bowlers “well over 80”. A letter from the chairman said the remaining members voted unanimously to close the club.

The site lies to the rear of the Marcia Grey pub and Acomb Explore Library and developer York West Developments has applied for permission to build six two-bedroom homes, three three-beds and a four-bedroom house on the land.

City of York Council officers have advised members of the planning committee to approve the plans on the condition that the developer pays £20,000 towards the replacement and enhancement of facilities for bowling at York Railway Institute.

Some residents also raised concerns that the access road to the site is inadequate and there may be a loss of outlook from Vyner House. But the council officer’s report says: “The majority of respondents do not object in principle to the development of the bowling green site. The majority wanted to see a holistic planning solution covering not only the bowling green but also the adjacent council owned land to the rear of the library (former allotments) and the disused land to the side of Chancery Court (back of South View Terrace). The scheme would provide the housing types for which there is identified need and has been designed so to respect neighbours amenity.”

In the planning documents, the letter from the club chairman says: “Despite open days to encourage new players we cannot find any. Our greenkeeper is 77 years of age and finding the job very difficult.”